Why a Run Through London at Night is the Best Way to See the Famous Landmarks

You can probably tell from many of the other blogs on TheCounterintuitive.com, that I’m a big fan of health, fitness and running in particular. One of the things I missed the most when I was travelling, was my regular evening run through London. Simply put, London is most beautiful at night and the best way to see all the famous landmarks at the perfect time is with a run.

It’s an alternative way to see London in all its beauty, it’s free, it doesn’t matter the weather and it’s a bound to be a memorable experience.

Armed with my iPhone, Vivo Barefoot running shoes and RunKeeper app, the run starts and finishes at St Pauls, alongside the wide pavements of the River Thames. It’s 7km long and would take most runners around 30-60 minutes. There are alternatives to the route, by crossing different bridges to reduce or lengthen the distance, but the one described is by far the best.

If any travellers are in town and want to run this route with me, please get in touch.

A view across the water of one of the few buildings in London with advertising, made with glass windows to advertise the OXO cube food product by the original building owners. These days, it’s a creative centre for arts, apartment block and rooftop restaurant.

The stone sculpture and bronze sphinxes were a gift from the Egyptians to England. The sphinxes beside it survived World War 1 air bombings – you’ll see as you look closely at the right hand sphinx, the holes in the thick brass.

Sculpture which commemorates the British military personnel who took part in the Battle of Britain during the Second World War. It’s believed to be one of the most important battles of the war and near 500 airmen who lost their lives in the skies.

Continuing the path underneath the steps of Westminster Bridge leads to the South Bank and alongside the famous London Eye ferris wheel. Day time and evening “flights” on the wheel mean it will likely still be in motion at any time you pass.

View of Victoria Embankment, Blackfriars Bridge and the Thames Beach

Like the London Eye, the Millennium Bridge was another year 2000 project for London. Although originally seen as a failure having to be closed days after opening to the public due to resonance from pedestrians on the bridge, £5m and a year later, the bridge is the version that currently stands. It’s forte is by far the view onto St Pauls. From the bridge, looking east you see The Shard, and Tower Bridge.